The goings on around Milam County

Elections are soon approaching and regardless of how you’re voting, it’s important that we know when and where the voting is taking place. All of the relevant information on voting will be posted on the Elections site of the milamcounty.net website, but I thought I would put it out here as well so folks can get the information in multiple locations.  

First off, Early voting will be taking place at the following locations: The Milam County Annex in Cameron, The George Hill Patterson Center in Rockdale, the Buckholts Community Center in Buckholts, and the Thorndale Veterans Memorial Hall in Thorndale. 

The dates for early voting basically run from Oct. 21 through Nov. 1. Weekday voting will be at all four early-voting locations with some varying times that you can find at the Elections Department webpage. Weekend early-voting will also be available; however, only at two of the early-voting locations. 

For weekend voting the times and locations will be as follows; Saturday, Oct. 26, will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Milam County Annex in Cameron and the George Hill Patterson Center in Rockdale. Sunday, Oct. 27, early voting will only be at the Milam County Annex in Cameron from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday early voting is still in the trial phase with the state government to make a determination on making a permanent change during the next legislative cycle. To date in Milam County Sunday turnout has been extremely slim as has Saturday turnout, but it will be available this election cycle for folks to take advantage of.

Election Day is actually Nov. 5 and there will be seven voting locations to utilize. Remember, each location is open to all registered Milam county voters so you can vote at any of these polling places.

The following are Nov. 5 voting locations: The Methodist Church Family Life Center in Cameron, The Cameron Housing Office, the Buckholts Community Center, The George Hill Patterson Center in Rockdale, The Thorndale Veterans Memorial Hall, the Milam Fire Department, and the Gause Fore Department. All of these locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Voting is one of our sacred and most inalienable rights. Many people have paid the ultimate sacrifice just so we can have this right and as such we should all do our best exercise that right. Please take the time to get out, vote how you wish, and make your voice heard. 

This week saw the retirement of Renee Mueck as the director of Bea’s Kitchen in Cameron. Many times, we overlook folks who play such an important part of our communities and what they do to make our communities a better place to live. We are very lucky in Milam County to have well-functioning Senior Centers and Renee has done a wonderful job at Bea’s Kitchen for many years. I just wanted to let her know how much we will miss her. I know she will enjoy the time off and the fishing that awaits her, but she will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank You Renee.

Lastly, but definitely not in last place, this week our local police departments will be hosting their National Night Out celebrations and hopefully we all have or had a chance to attend and let our first responders know how important they are to us. These folks do the bulk of the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping us all safe and secure. It’s so important for us all to let them know how appreciative we are to have them on duty. Thank you all for what you do for us.